Online Archives and Special Collections Certificate

Discover the world of Archives and Special Collections in the School of Library and Information Science. This online certificate relates archival history, theory, methods, organization, and ethics with an archival practicum. This convenient and affordable course of study can be taken as part of a student’s MLIS degree or as a post-master’s certificate for those holding an MLS from an ALA-accredited program. This is your life, plus college.

Interested in other opportunities in this field? Check out our other fully online options! Want more info about this certificate? Our enrollment coaches are standing by to assist you. This is your life, plus college. Click here for more info!

The University of Southern Mississippi is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). For the complete accreditation statement and additional information, please visit www.usm.edu/university/accreditation.php.

Course Requirements

Course	Credits
Digital Preservation	3 hrs.
Preservation of Documentary Materials	3 hrs.
Introduction to Archival Theory and Practice	3 hrs.
Introduction to Archival Organizations	3 hrs.
Archival Practicum	3 hrs.
Metadata for Digital Collections	3 hrs.

Elective Requirement

Select 1 course:

Course	Credits
Cataloging Multimedia Objects	3 hrs.
History of the Book	3 hrs.
British Studies: Studies in Librarianship	3 hrs.
History of Libraries and Librarianship	3 hrs.
History of Children’s Literature	3 hrs.
Special Libraries	3 hrs.
Digital Preservation	3 hrs.
Preservation of Documentary Materials	3 hrs.
Special Problems in Librarianship	3 hrs.
Introduction to Digital Humanities	3 hrs.
Digital Humanities Practicum	3 hrs.

Additional Note

Please note that the above information is meant to be a guide and is not official. For further information regarding courses for this degree, see the University Bulletin. Please be aware that not all course choices listed in the University Bulletin are available online. However, sufficient online options are available to complete this degree.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the advisor for this program?

The advisor for this program is Dr. Jeff Hirschy. You can reach Dr. Jeff Hirschy at jeffery.hirschy@usm.edu.

Is this program eligible for financial aid?

No, currently the certificate programs are not eligible for financial aid.

Are there any additional requirements other than coursework?

Yes, after completing the required coursework, students are required to write a 2500-word paper on an approved topic related to archives, special collections, or digitization that is approved by faculty teaching archival-related courses.

Who can earn the Certificate?

Graduate students may earn the Certificate while working on their graduate degree or those who have already earned a graduate degree may register as a non-degree student and take classes to earn the Certificate.

Can graduate students in other majors earn the Certificate?

Yes, non-LIS graduate students are required to take LIS 505: Cataloging and Classification as a prerequisite.

How can graduate students in other majors register for courses required for the Certificate?

Non-LIS majors may contact the School of Library and Information Science and request permission to enroll in the required courses.

What other online degrees are offered by Online at Southern Miss?

Please visit our programs page here: https://online.usm.edu/programs/

What are the costs?

As a student enrolled in a certificate program, you are not eligible for financial aid. To find pricing information, click here. For detailed tuition information, click here.

What if I still have questions?

If you still have questions, please visit our FAQ page, or take a moment to fill out our form at the bottom of the screen, and we will reach out to you!

Admission Requirements

The following is required from all graduate applicants:

In addition to the requirements detailed in Admission Requirements and Procedures, applicants must submit the following documents:

Statement of Purpose – In a 1-2 page essay, describe your interests in the archival certificate, types of special collections, archives, or repositories of interest, and your potential contributions to the career field.
Résumé

Program Requirements and Academic Policies:

After successfully completing the required coursework, students are required to write a 2500 to 4500-word paper on a pre-approved topic related to archives, special collections, or digitization.

See General Degree Requirements and General Academic Information for graduate requirements and expectations.

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